Page 34

SEVEREN

I wanted to rage. Rage at her. But our connection had been so thready lately that I didn’t dare lash out at Skye. Without another choice, I directed my fury elsewhere.

“You encouraged this. You took him to your little party.” I scorned Halo.

“Don’t yell at her. Halo did nothing wrong.” Skye’s chin trembled in her determined effort to stand up for her mate.

My sweet, compassionate omega stared at me, remained silent, then flicked her focus onto Crux.

“I’m not asking you,” her eyes glanced back at me for just an instant.

“Any of you, to love him or anything.” She put her hand to her chest. “Rowan’s omega’s heart, Indigo’s heart , saved my life, and it only feels right to help him when he needs it. ”

Skye’s impassioned speech ended. We were all silent. Through the bond, weariness, guilt and frustration percolated. Scanning the room with both my eyes and my aura, the only source of alpha jealousy I could find was my own.

Halo crossed the kitchen and stood next to Skye and Rowan. “Severen, Crux, you two should know that I’m in full support of Skye and Rowan’s blossoming relationship. Whatever that might mean.”

“Whatever that might mean?” I repeated, glowering at her. My hands were rock-hard fists at my sides and I couldn’t fully smother the growl in my voice. My jaw was so tight it ached.

“I want Skye to be happy,” she answered, putting one hand on her hip and the other on Skye’s shoulder. “If that means more dates between just the two of them, then fine. If that means adding another member to the pack, then, we’ll go shopping for a new bedroom set.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Halo shot me a witheringly flat look. “We should be kissing Rowan’s feet. His omega gave us a priceless gift.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Skye asked Crux and me. “Do you think I’ll love you any less? Because I won’t. You’re my alphas.” Then, she addressed me directly. “You’re my pack lead. Nothing and no one can change that.”

Crux dug a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket and pulled one out. “Even though you’ve been a pretty huge dick these last few months,” he said, sticking the cigarette between his lips.

Heat rose up the back of my neck. “Excuse me?”

Crux pulled out a lighter and flipped it in his hand, as if taunting me on whether or not he was going to light up. We’ve always had a strict no smoking inside the house rule, and we doubled down when Skye came back from the hospital. “You heard me.”

“Elaborate,” I said, a growl just teasing the edges of my words.

Crux shook his head. “You don’t wanna go down this path with me right now, man.” He focused on the interloper. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Can’t speak up for yourself?”

Rowan cleared his throat. “I haven’t slept a full night since the accident,” he admitted. “My apartment feels like a tomb.”

“So rent a hotel,” I said, sourly.

Skye marched up to me and got into my space. “We all know what can happen to an alpha who loses their omega.” She jabbed a finger directly into my chest. “And I am not going to let that happen.”

“Okay, pause,” Halo threw her meticulously manicured hands up. “Everyone needs to cool down. We should set down some ground rules.”

“Later.” Crux shook his head. “I gotta go before shit gets mean. You.” He pointed at Rowan. “You’re coming with me. Let’s go.”

Without a word, Rowan peeled off from Skye and Halo and shadowed Crux.

“Where are you taking him?” Skye asked.

“Guy time,” Crux flicked on his lighter with one hand and yanked open the front door with the other. He didn’t look back, didn’t ask for permission, and didn’t make sure Rowan was following him.

The door lazily shut behind them.

“Well,” Halo said, breaking the silence. “If he can survive an evening with Crux, he can survive anything.”